Set up and implementation of an integrated monitoring programme for Doñana Natural Space

Abstract

Díaz-Delgado,  R.  (2010).  Set  up  and  implementation  of  an  integrated  monitoring  programme  for  Doñana  Natural  Space. Ecosistemas 19(2):42-55.

Since Doñana was protected, managers and scientists have jointly worked to set up a program for periodical acquisition of information on the most relevant ecological variables of this relevant natural area. First steps mainly focused on systematic collection of information about the most endangered species and overall on birds. In the last decades, other relevant ecological indicators have been gradually included under  such  monitoring  initiative.  Thus,  in  2002,  a  long  term  integrated  ecological  monitoring  programme  was  set  up  with  a  substantial enlargement of the monitoring features. The programme has been successfully implemented mainly due to a specialized staff team devoted to monitoring basic tasks but also to the proposal and validation of the defined methodological protocols. Data policy enables full access to monitoring results through a web portal periodically updated. Baseline information is therefore available for long term trends and observed changes on the monitored ecosystems and species populations. Such reference data sets are used for critical decision making in Doñana conservation management. Besides, the monitoring team also participates, follows and contributes to the International Long-Term Ecological Research (ILTER) network and incluyes socio-ecological data as crucial information to better understand Doñana main pressures and drivers on biodiversity under the global change processes.